kingpin cleaning question
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kingpin cleaning question
Disassembled my front axle this weekend - everything except removing the kingpins. I don't want to change the spindles - everything still moves smoothly with no play. However, they are a wretched 40 year old collection of oil, grease, and undercoating.
What's a good way to clean these things? I run simple green in my parts washer, which won't cut through this stuff (have a gas water heater in my garage - wife has forbidden me constructing a fuel-air bomb in there).
I'm considering suspending the axle over a 5-gallon bucket of kerosene or diesel fuel (hook one end to my shop crane and let the other sit in the bucket, then swap 'em out once clean). Would this work? Would the kerosene cut through this stuff?
Bob
What's a good way to clean these things? I run simple green in my parts washer, which won't cut through this stuff (have a gas water heater in my garage - wife has forbidden me constructing a fuel-air bomb in there).
I'm considering suspending the axle over a 5-gallon bucket of kerosene or diesel fuel (hook one end to my shop crane and let the other sit in the bucket, then swap 'em out once clean). Would this work? Would the kerosene cut through this stuff?
Bob
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Texas
Nothing is going to break it down with out some sort of agitation.
If your talking about just the king pins, I would suggest that since you already have the axles broken down, spend the $45-$50 bucks and replace the pins anyway. It would be a shame to have to go back and do this later.
If your talking the whole axle, Engine degreaser (I like Gunk Engine Brite) works great. I used it to clean a 74 351W and the paints still sticking. Check out this link to see the results. (http://www.clubfte.com/users/krosati/index.html) Look at the pic link and see how clean the tranny is.
Alternatively, if there is nothing wrong with it, just clean the outside and keep fresh grease in it.
If your talking about just the king pins, I would suggest that since you already have the axles broken down, spend the $45-$50 bucks and replace the pins anyway. It would be a shame to have to go back and do this later.
If your talking the whole axle, Engine degreaser (I like Gunk Engine Brite) works great. I used it to clean a 74 351W and the paints still sticking. Check out this link to see the results. (http://www.clubfte.com/users/krosati/index.html) Look at the pic link and see how clean the tranny is.
Alternatively, if there is nothing wrong with it, just clean the outside and keep fresh grease in it.
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A related question:
I bunged up one of the bolts holding the spindle arm while removing it (it needed some persuasion). I can get a replacement bolt at lowes or home depot sans hole for the cotter pin. Can I just chuck this thing up on the drill press and make a hole? I assume that's the way it's done but need to ask.
Bob
I bunged up one of the bolts holding the spindle arm while removing it (it needed some persuasion). I can get a replacement bolt at lowes or home depot sans hole for the cotter pin. Can I just chuck this thing up on the drill press and make a hole? I assume that's the way it's done but need to ask.
Bob
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Any grade 8 bolt should suffice. Before you drill the hole, thread a nut on the shaft and then drill. This way, when removingg the nut, it will clean the threads that will get a little buggered up during the drilling process.
The paint is holly green metal flake but it was painted by the PO. He did a bad job of it too. Bondo everywhere and the rust was bad as well. I took that pic not too long after I got the truck. I made sure it was from the shady side. It looks better than the sunny side.
The paint is holly green metal flake but it was painted by the PO. He did a bad job of it too. Bondo everywhere and the rust was bad as well. I took that pic not too long after I got the truck. I made sure it was from the shady side. It looks better than the sunny side.
